I am Dubfire. Grammy-award winning recording artist, owner of SCI+TEC, one half of Deep Dish, gastronome, Japanophile and saké fanatic! AMA!

What do you think of the current state of the underground scene in regards to club nights finding it harder to be successful and profitable with one off/non-club focused parties (Get Lost, Cityfox, ADID) gaining more traction and do you think promoters not being able to afford booking 'superstar' DJs as booking fees have jumped up astronomically in recent years is having adverse effect on that?

There's ALOT of HEALTHY competition out there; the scene corrects itself at every turn

There seems to be a fetishization of Japan and Japanese culture in recent years. As a self-described Japanophile, what do you think is the reason why?

We all have very personal reasons why we gravitate towards all things Japanese so I can only speak for me: the warm culture / manners of the people, the cuisine, the technology fused with ancient traditions, SAKE...it's endless!

Any plans on returning to Detroit soon, Movement weekend or otherwise? Live: Hybrid was one of the best things I've ever seen at the festival :)

Thank you! No Movement unfortunately this year for me:-(

Hello, Ali, I met you on Creamfields Buenos Aires Backstage once, give you some pendrive with my demos and saw you play. You are my true inspiration and the reason I started producing. Is my dream to be part of the SCI+TEC family one day. So, If its ok with you, I would love to send you some demos. Can you please give me some contact information? Thank you for your music!

promos@dubfire.com

Hey Ali, huge fan, ever since I first heard Junk Science I was hooked to your sound. Recently saw you at Output in Brooklyn - great time.

Do you think DJ's are really DJ's any longer or more like "live remixers"? If you were a dj getting started would you go straight to a digital setup or practice with beatmatching Vinyl first? Do you think vinyl is making a come back?

Lastly, how do I see your movie in NYC?

The lines between DJing and performance are more blurry then ever! I think vinyl gives you a totally different vibe / sound. I still love vinyl but DEF don't miss lugging around two heavy vinyl bags from one gig to the next!

I'm from Chicago and see you every time you're here. I have two questions... Any chance that you'd be booked at Smartbar next time you're in Chicago? Secondly, I see that you often go to Alinea when you're here, but what are your other favorite restaurants in Chicago? Have you had a chance to visit Grace, Kai Zan, or Oriole yet?

Been dying to play Smartbar so YES, it's def on my target list for the next Chicago visit. Went to Grace and loved it (the documentary film too!). Next on my list is 42 Grams!

Will you ever release a blue-ray of your Dubfire:live hybrid show? I've seen it three times and I love it.

YESSS! We've filmed about 13 shows around the world and working on a live concert DVD / live album for a fall / winter release

I saw “Above Ground Level” at the screening in Miami and was blown away by the honesty and the sacrifice for success. I wish you all the best for its release. My question is personal in nature. Do you think that not being married and having kids has allowed you to reach a higher level of success in your career, is that a personal choice you consciously made due to the lifestyle or would you one day like to start a family and balance that with your successful career?

Thank you! Well...i DO want to settle down one day and did think about kids. My relationship of 9yrs fell apart a few years ago so there goes that:-( It's REALLY difficult to maintain a normal relationship within all the traveling I do but I do maintain HOPE! And yes, perhaps because I am single with no kids, it has allowed for more productive work time...

What do you think about Sacha Lord's exclusivity agreements for artists playing at Warehouse Project in Manchester?

It's really killing the scene in Manchester as many top artists aren't allowed to play at events that aren't run by WHP.

I had a falling out with the WHP boys a few years ago and only started playing for them again last year. They put on some of the best events in the world and I have confidence that they have their reasons for exclusivity. I haven't run into that issue with them personally...yet

What software do you use for music production?

Ableton Live

Hi Dubfire!

Your set with Richie H @ Exit Festival '09 is in my opinion one of the better b2b you ever had.

Are there any plans you will do a b2b in The Netherlands this year? WTTF or Awakenings? Or both?! :))

What kind of festivals do you like in general? (Big/Small/Any themes?)

Thank you! Doing a b2b with Steve Rachmad for Kingsday and a b2b with Chris Liebing for Awakenings in June!

Hello there! Huge fan of your production. When I first discovered your music a few years ago I was blown away by how unique and visceral the groove was in each of your tracks.

Do you have any advice production-wise on creating unique grooves? Out of all the house and techno I have heard, some of your tracks are the ones that I feel best capture grooves/energy of other types of music and I want so much to learn how to better do that with my own productions. Thanks so much for doing this AMA!!!

For me, it's ALL about GROOVE and ATMOSPHERE! Check the Romanian stuff for solid examples! Especially Arapu's "Pitfall"! Or ANY Gaiser song!

What did you think of that movie Robin Williams made about you?

HAHAHAHAHAH!!!! It's not the first time I've heard that joke buddy:-)

Toronto or Montreal?

See you both in May:-)

I saw Sharam play at Do Not Sit On The Furniture last year in Miami during WMC. Beautiful night. I've yet to see one of your shows but am looking forward to having the opportunity! Love Deep Dish and have been an even bigger fan of both your individual careers as well.

Any chance at a reunion/collaborations?

Thank you for all the beautiful musical moments and keep on doing what you love!

We'll reunite once we have some new music; it needs to be music-driven. I think despite our best intentions, we kickstarted the project prematurely:-(

Dubfire met you in chicago a couple years ago with you and Marcel dettman. your playing style has influenced mine mainly with hardware/performing

1. with your audio interface do you match all your inputs to the mixer?
2. how do you chop up your songs for when you play? is it more ableton or are they ready to go in traktor?
3. whats one of your favorite places to eat in chicago?
4. y-3 or Rick owens?

1. RME Fireface
2. I simply loop sections of songs and layer them under whatever I'm playing.
3. Chicago has some of the best restaurants in the country! Really miss Hot Doug's and 21 Grams. Alinea is still unreal and been wanting to get to 42 Grams!

1. Rick Owens of course!

Saw you perform at Kiesgrube last year, it was awesome. I have 2 questions - What's your stance on drugs? Do you think it can enhance the experience of listening to music / going to techno parties? - Why do most DJ's seem to avoid this subject?

Well no one wants to openly talk about drugs or drug use! Drugs spawned incredible music and performances from the 60's and 70's onwards and it seems that things haven't changed much since then.

Can you get me in to your SXSW show in Austin?

If you bring me a bottle of sake. YES!

What's your favourite part about the past and present Toronto house/techno scene?

I don't believe in nostalgia. Toronto was...and still is...ROCKING!!!

Why did you and Oliver Huntemann you put those lines on the back of Fuego?

Those are the symbols of the 4 elements of life

What inspired the "rattlesnakesnair" in your live sets?

I was just looking for an identifiable "sound" in my DJ sets and love delays so simply played around with various delay times till I had something I could call mine.

What are your favorite cities and why?

Way too many to mention here! But quite obviously I have a fondness for Tokyo. So much crammed into such a tiny place! Sensory overload!

Salam Ali! truly honestly i have never missed one of your shows in Montreal over the last 7 years!! i cannot even count how many times I've been to one of your shows and I was lucky enough to catch you at the right time in SpaceIbiza 2012 and BPM 2014.

Any shows in (((Montreal)) or Toronto perhaps in the foreseeable future? preferably ((())) lol

Wish you an amazing Norooz with your family.

Thank you! And yessss..in May:-)

If you could send a message back in time to your 18-year-old self, what advice would you give him?

Be careful what you wish for!

Would you consider yourself spiritual? Finally saw Hybrid last year at Movement and thought it was a mind-altering almost spiritual experience!

In what sense? I'm an atheist but def spiritual. Is that a paradox? I dunno...THANK YOU! That was one of my fave shows!!!

When will you be coming back to NYC? Haven't seen you since HYTE and I'm missing you during Miami Music Week.

Back in NYC in May. Stay tuned for details:-)

What are your thoughts of this new-era dark techno production?

Artists reflect the times; and we are living in VERY DARK times so quite naturally the music is going to reflect that.

What do you think of this never ending battle? vinyl or digital.

Retarded and a waste of time.

What is the best festival in the world ? the place where you like to play over and over again ?

Timewarp Mannheim!

I have no idea who you are. Why should I listen to your music?

Haha. You don't!

When and where can we see your documentary film? Greetings from Bulgaria, hope you're coming to Sunny Beach again this summer!!!

This year! Once we find distribution:-)

What is the very best cheese?

I love the stinky, modly blue cheeses; and they are amazing paired with sake!!

How good was that sake last night? OK, but seriously, why the obsession with sake of all things?

Haha it was amazing!! For years sake was simply my drink of choice; I became so obsessed with the variety of sake out there that i decided to immerse myself in it and learn as much as I can! NEVER STOP LEARNING!

Hey Ali! 2 questions: first, why you don't use the rattle snake effect anymore? Was amazing! Second, which are your favourites citys to play?

You can't keep repeating yourself

Thanks Dubfire for being an inspiration for music. Let me ask, should I say "fuck it this sounds dope"? Sometimes I feel my music is not made very well but I do know it's a process

Always compare your music to more established artists who's sound speaks to you. See if it's as good or better and if not? Keep trying...

Have been a huge fan of you since 2007. I dont really enjoy techno played by other DJ's. You have such a unique play style. Which DJs do you think have something in common with you what comes to DJing? Richie has almost the same DJ setup as you but he plays totally different techno.

How we play is a direct reflection of our personal taste in music. So already that is unique to each person. Add to that a unique TECHNICAL setup and then we arrive at ur own signature sound / performance.

I just want to say I LOVED your live set at Movement last year!

I also almost always play your remix of Capriati's Fratello towards the end of one of my extended sets - where did the inspiration for this remix come from if you don't mind me asking?

Thank you! Joseph and I are good friends. He wanted me to remix it and I already loved the tracked so it worked out well. I simply enhanced the melodies with a super funky groove underneath. It's all about the GROOVE!

What advice would you give to someone trying to set up their own small event?

Better ask a promoter:-)

Cliché question, but if you had one piece of advice for producers trying to "make it", what would it be?

Don't give up!

What are your top ten restaurants to each at in Austin?

Not sure about a top 10 but Uchi and Uchiko are AMAZING with KILLER sake menus! And I've been trying to go to Franklyn BBQ and La Barbecue for ages with no luck...

What are some of your favorite artists or tracks right now? Do you only listen to electronic music or do you branch out now and then? Is there any genre of music you wish you explored more?

Great show and after party at Movement last year, wish you were coming back to Detroit this year!

My fave artist right now is Dirty Beaches...can't stop listening to his albums!

What are your favorite restaurants. What was your favorite Alinea gallery dish?

Wow WAY too many to mention here! Just follow my IG (mentioned the fave Alinea dishes there!:-)

I've seen you play numerous of times all around the world in the last five years but never a huge fan. However, your set at Heart Ibiza early September blew me away when you played more progressive compared to the usual techno.

What dictates how you play on a specific night?

The people do:-) You all have more power than the DJ!

Hey! So I have a bit of a different question regarding workflow and motivation. I've been working on music for a few years now, yet there's only a small amount of my stuff that I actually like. I usually spend hours on something, decide it sounds like trash, and scrap the whole thing. Everyone I know hates that I do that, but to me after a certain amount of time working on it I just hate what it becomes. The farthest I get is usually adding it to a live set, performing it, and never touching it again. I'm sure 90% of the time I spend in ableton amounts to no released project. Any tips on how to get past this?

Sounds like you have a hard time finishing things! I think you need to work with someone who can help you finish what you've started. This is actually a pretty common problem with even establish producers!

Hi Dubfire, Who are your top 3 favorite artists/producers right now??? Favorite song going??

Kangdang Ray, Arapu, Answer Code Request...

Do you have an opinion on the current political climate happening in the US?

It's pretty shit wouldn't you say?

HELLO Ali.

How do you feel about Romania since you visited Sunwaves?

Sunwaves has become THE highlight of my year! Last year I did 17hrs which was the longest I'd ever played in my career! Let's see if I can top it this year:-)

You were amazing to kick off the year at Berlin!!! I loved the hybrid set felt like I was along this big ride. Any plans to do another live hybrid tour maybe in California? Or any shows in general? Missed it at Coachella :/

I'm winding it down. It's been going for 2 years now! Hard to believe! Next shows will be Madrid, Portugal and Tokyo and then I'll be brainstorming ideas for the next live show!

Any chance we'll get a live:HYBRID show somewhere on the West coast of the USA sometime soon??

I think Coachella was it...

Hey Ali, what's your fav spot in Ibiza and what do you think about the electronic music scene in Spain? See you next week at Ultra :)

Ibiza (and Spain!) is simply a magical, inspirational place! I love each and every venue I play for different reasons. DC10 is probably my fave tho! That main room just represents my sound perfectly!

Did you study all this cool shit in college or are you self taught?

I did horrible in music theory class but well in guitar class. Pretty much self-taught tho. The best teachers are the engineers and producers you surround yourself with. You pickup diff things along that journey and it helps to establish your own way of working / sound

What do you consider your biggest achievement throughout your career?

I still feel like a failure:-(

My question is about your work ethic and ethos, what keeps you motivated?

Being inspired by people and music!

What cultures inspires you to produce your music and signature sounds?

PEOPLE inspire me!

Hey,

Do you have some kind of tagging system for your music collection. I know you mix in key, but music is a lot more than keys, there is also rhythm en melody. Do you tag that in a Way? Or how do you know which songs go well together?

Big thnx!

I don't tag, I make playlists in iTunes based on flow (from deep to peak), groove, key, etc